Today is Thanksgiving so some family and a couple friends stopped by, but it was really cold so they didn’t stay long. I video chatted with my dad and step-mom in California, my mom here in Portland, and a couple friends in other cities. At the end of the night a few friends surprised me by coming down with a laptop so we could Skype through the window, but again they didn’t stay long because it was cold.

I am thankful for many, many, things this year, but especially my family and friends who continue to amaze me with their love and support. I am also very thankful for the ability to communicate with them so easily across the country. This project was never intended to take away from the fact that these technologies do have positive benefits.

Because of these technological advances we feel closer to family overseas, people who have physical disabilities who are restricted to their homes feel less isolated, the hearing impaired are able to communicate more effectively, and there are many more examples we could add to the list.

Another thing to remember though is that those of us who have accessibility to these technologies are very privileged. There are many that can’t afford these luxuries. We are lucky to have these problems of overuse to think about.

When my food is delivered, I hide in the bathroom and they text message me when it is safe to come out. I am not sure of my plans when this is over, but I know I will need to unplug for a little while. Then I will finish my applications for grad school and then get back to work.

Cristin: Happy post-Thanksgiving. You were the topic at our table on Thanksgiving day. Although we probably will never meet, I did bring your name and your project up to educate my nieces and nephews who are of the technology age to think outside of technology and look inward at how they would react to being isolated for 30 days just like you. There were mixed responses from them, but, cumulatively, they were all up for it. So, I think that you are on the cusp of discovering something huge. You are truly on the homestretch. Looking forward to day 29 and the feelings that are running through your head and veins. Keep writing and keep discovering. For now I remain one of your loyal readers… Good tidings!

That’s true. People without access to the technology you’re using have to “settle” for person-to-person communication or none if separated. Your experience would be different if you were just on display, with no contact with the outside, other than what you can each see through the glass.